10 Reasons I'm Celebrating Jolabokaflod This Year

Bookworms will rejoice in Iceland's tradition of gifting books at Christmastime.

Hi! My name is Laken, and I'm a bookworm. Several years ago, my BFF and I went to Iceland over Christmas break. My favorite part of the trip wasn't the snow, nor was it the wicked Yule Cat who eats people who don't wear new clothes (yeah, look him up!). Instead, I fell in love with Jolabokaflod. It's an Icelandic holiday tradition where people gift their loved ones with new books to read on Christmas Eve. How cute is that?

I don't really celebrate Christmas, BUT I have adopted Jolabokaflod each year. Here are ten reasons why you might love to celebrate it, too.

Laken Brooks

1. Books are underrated gifts

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Have you ever tried to gift the perfect book? It can be really tricky to find the right book for your friend or family member, so they're bound to appreciate the time and energy you put into your search.

2. You can be eco-friendly by gifting secondhand books

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With expedited shipping charges (and CO₂ emissions), the holidays can deliver a punch to the environment and your wallet. A thoughtful secondhand book can be a refreshing break from the rest of your shopping list.

3. What's cozier than curling up on a winter's day with a book?

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I can't think of anything that beats a book and a mug of hot cocoa, tbh.

4. Techies can get e-books

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Someone you know probably has an e-reader stashed in a random drawer. Encourage them to dust it off and put it to use.

5. You can finally try out that audiobook you've been meaning to listen to

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Behold, audiobooks let you read WHILE you're building a snowman, decorating cookies, or decking your halls. The miracles of technology.

6. 6Check out the book series that inspired your favorite Netflix show

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Read the books so you don't have to wait until the upcoming season to find out what's next. But don't share spoilers with the rest of us, m'kay?

7. You can be a little petty with it

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Have you got someone naughty on your list? Gift them a super boring book. Hey, someone out there has to be reading advanced organic chemistry textbooks for fun, am I right?

8. Share your old favorites

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You can learn a lot about someone by learning about the kinds of music, books, and other entertainment that they enjoy. If you want your loved ones to know more about you, tell them to read your favorite book. And if they actually read the book, you now have a go-to topic of conversation for the next family dinner party.

9. You can unwind from holiday stress

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Yeah, the holidays are supposed to be jolly. But let's be real: seeing family, purchasing gifts, and trying to finish the year can all be really stressful. A book can be a nice escape from the hustle and bustle.

10. And when you're done reading, you can regift your book next year

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Regifting can be a thorny topic. After all, you might be super bummed if you received the same "live, laugh, love" sign that your aunt gave to Cousin Jean last year. But your family and friends may be much more willing to circulate regifted books. After all, stories are meant to be shared! You can encourage regifters to not dog-ear the pages or write in the margins so the pre-loved books are good as new next year.

Have you celebrated Jolabokaflod? What books would you want to receive as gifts? Tell us in the comments below.